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Waiting

The song I came to sing
remains unsung to this day.
I have spent my days in stringing
and in unstringing my instrument.

The time has not come true,
the words have not been rightly set;
only there is the agony
of wishing in my heart…..

I have not seen his face,
nor have I listened to his voice;
only I have heard his gentle footsteps
from the road before my house…..

But the lamp has not been lit
and I cannot ask him into my house;
I live in the hope of meeting with him;
but this meeting is not yet.

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1 - 5 of 5
  • pankaja
    December 29, 2007
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    waiting

    Abstract poem, weilding a sort of unknown power over te reader.The stanza-'i have not seen his face.Nor have i listened to his voice;Only I have heard his gentle footsteps from the road before my house. . . . . gives rise to many creative ideas to an aspiring writer.


  • July 27, 2007
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    Waiting

    From guest Ellen Clare (contact)
    It can be taken more than one way. I highly doubt he is speaking of Jesus Christ as he is Indian and speaks of reincarnation in his other poems. (A Hindu Belief) He is waiting for his destiny or his maker. Note that he writes that he has not seen his face or listened to his voice. Hence... probably the reason he is waiting. Either way it is a beautiful poem.


  • Peteskid
    May 6, 2007

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    Waiting by Rabindranath Tagore

    this is one of the pieces of literature that I can read and place myself in the mind of the writer, so do I relate to the premise " My instrument".

    The agony of incompletion burns in many of us, a purpose driven life yet fulfilled and it is an inescapable feeling.

    As a boy I remember one man speaking of me saying" he has something chasing him", years later in a leadership position another man said the same thing in my earshot, seemed that some could see this facet... so this is my interpretation of the voice and gentle footsteps... it is the end of life which finds us all and our unsung song is an unbearable thought in that context.
    So the tension of a life becomes the drive for excellence balanced against the unknown end of life; a footrace pitting time against ambition; excellence against the human condition.

  • Pianokidd
    April 28, 2007
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    I think this poem is talking about the second coming of the son (Jesus Christ).He'll come like a theif in the night; when you least expect it. The signs(in the bible) tell us he's near,but all of the prophecy hasn't been fullied; we look up for our redemption draws near.I'm waiting too. What a beautiful poem!


  • angelica
    January 28, 2007
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    The light has been lit for him

    He hears his gentle footprints but the light is not lit, for it's not his time to leave yet.
    When the light shines bright from his window, he will follow that light home..for he is truly home now.
    Beautifully written.

  • Nam
    June 21, 2004
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    There is this rhyme quality to this piece, tho, really there is no rhyme pattern used at all. But, it seems, when reading, the sound is there.

    'only I have heard his gentle footsteps'

    Seems as if a want to meet such a grand deity, yet, doesn't know that this deity exists but for a few footsteps heard in the distance.

    It is a quaint and solemn piece.


1 - 5 of 5